You're going to be reading in the mainstream press about how horrible sales were in the U.S. during June, 2008. Yes, they were bad for many automakers, but consider that there were only 24 selling days last month versus 27 days in June, 2007. This makes comparing raw sales numbers misleading, since there were three fewer days to sell. Thus, as always, all the percentages below represent the change in Daily Sales Rate, i.e. the average number of vehicles sold per day, not the change in raw number of vehicles sold.The big news is how hard Toyota fell last month, its DSR dropping 11.5% as a whole while the Toyota brand itself fell 10.3%. Cross-island rival Honda, however, bucked that trend by improving its DSR a whopping 13.8% and 17.9% for the Honda brand alone. Among the domestics, General Motors fared best with its DSR falling only 8.3%. If you look closely at the list below, while HUMMER, Saab and GMC were down in the big double digits, GM's volume brands held their own and most were down less than 5%. Ford, meanwhile, dropped its DSR by 19.1% (note this is the first month Jaguar and Land Rover sales were not included in Ford's numbers), and Chrysler, LLC, which performed the worst, saw its DSR plunge 28%. As you can see, however, many brands found a way to make it work in June, with Audi, MINI, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Suzuki and Volkswagen all up in a big way.
Biggest Winner
MINI
40.5% at 5,211 (6/07: 4,174)Biggest Loser
HUMMER
–54.2% at 2,072 (6/07: 5,093)BRANDS
Acura
–16.4% at 12,456 (6/07: 16,766)Audi
18.5% at 8,203 (6/07: 7,789)BMW
–6.6% at 20,944 (6/07: 25,220)Buick
–34.4% at 9,631 (6/07: 16,519)Cadillac
–3.1% at 14,337 (6/07: 16,647)Chevrolet
–3.5% at 159,998 (6/07: 186,474)Chrysler
–36% at 27,128 (6/07: 47,658)Dodge
–21.3% at 63,687 (6/07: 91,089)Ford
–19.8% at 145,715 (6/07: 204,303)GMC
–14.6% at 30,713 (6/07: 40,457)Honda
17.9% at 130,083 (6/07: 124,169)HUMMER
–54.2% at 2,072 (6/07: 5,093)Hyundai
14% at 50,033 (6/07: 49,368)Infiniti
–0.9% at 9,304 (6/07: 10,558)Jeep
–32.8% at 26,642 (6/07: 44,600)Kia
21% at 28,292 (6/07: 26,288)Lexus
–21% at 20,253 (6/07: 28,869)Lincoln
–12.5% at 9,718 (6/07: 12,494)Mazda
3.8% at 23,771 (6/07: 25,761)Mercedes-Benz
12.4% at 19,576 (6/07: 19,589)Mercury
–16.3% at 11,657 (6/07: 15,660)MINI
40.5% at 5,211 (6/07: 4,174)Mitsubishi
–35.2% at 7,494 (6/07: 13,014)Nissan
–8.3% at 66,543 (6/07: 81,655)Pontiac
–5.1% at 28,402 (6/07: 33,683)Porsche
–8.7% at 2,650 (6/07: 3,267)Saab
–51.7% at 1,872 (6/07: 4,361)Saturn
–1.9% at 18,912 (6/07: 21,686)Subaru
18.4% at 18,007 (6/07: 17,108)Suzuki
6.6% at 9,785 (6/07: 10,325)Toyota
–10.3% at 172,981 (6/07: 216,870)Volkswagen
12.8% at 23,208 (6/07: 23,137)Volvo
–17.7% at 7,001 (6/07: 9,572)Not Yet Reported
Jaguar
Land Rover
COMPANIES
BMW Group
0.1% at 26,155 (6/07: 29,394)Chrysler Group
–28% at 117,457 (6/07: 183,347)Ford Motor Co
–19.1% at 167,090 (6/07: 232,457)General Motors
–8.3% at 265,937 (6/07: 326,300)Honda America
13.8% at 142,539 (6/07: 140,935)Nissan North America
–7.5% at 75,847 (6/07: 92,213)Toyota Motor Co.
–11.5% at 193,234 (6/07: 245,739)










Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
DCMotoring @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:28AM
Yes, Chris. MINI is hot right now. Considering that they are flying off the lots faster than they can make them is impressive, especially considering the current economy and that dealers typically don't offer any discounts off MSRP. The fact that MINI isn't a high volume brand is irrelevant. MINI has been hot ever since it hit the market 6 years ago. Originally, they only expected to sell about 12k a year in the U.S. that number is up around 40-50k and rising.
iSpec @ Jul 1st 2008 5:44PM
Hyundai/Kia outsells Nissan by 10,000 cars.
I have to believe that Hyundai's innovative flex lines in their Alabama plant will be converted quickly to build Elantra's (up 50% recently) as gas prices rise above $5/gallon. I don't believe other carmakers can convert in a few months like others.
Hyundai and Kia's flex plants in Alabama and Georgia are looking very smart right about now as they don't need much time to convert.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:19AM
Hyundai and Kia of North America are fun they have this little sales rivalry going. And both of their North American HQ's are gorgeous.
Brian W @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:00AM
Innovative flex lines? Every NEW plant has been built that way for quite awhile, they didn't invent that.
Under cut every bodies price and put $2-3,000 rebates on new models, that will help resale value.
They aren't making any money either.
Andy @ Jul 1st 2008 5:46PM
anyone notice that for honda the two numbers were exactly the same even though it increased 17% or so? I'd kind of like to know what they actually sold last june
rouse42 @ Jul 1st 2008 6:20PM
http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=772594
John Neff @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:24AM
Sorry, that error's been fixed. Honda sold 124,169 units in June 2007
AIL @ Jul 1st 2008 5:50PM
Hah @ mitsu comment. Well, what do you expect when they sell low-quality junk. Seriously, I WANT to drive an Evo daily. But I cannot bring myself to buy a product from a company that reliably produces junk.
Also, Honda is looking solid. They build for quality, value, and with an eye toward the environment instead of just gaudy MPG numbers. The rest of the world will eventually catch on that this is the way to go.
Brian W @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:55AM
You mean like KIA does, wait they build cheap crap!
AIL @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:38PM
OHHHHHH clever brian!
Please take a step back from your fantasy world and briefly consider reality.
Jared @ Jul 1st 2008 5:52PM
It isn't just the drop in total number of sales that is hurting the big 2.5, it is the change in the product mix. They used to earn huge profits on each SUV and truck sold, but lose money on each subcompact. Sales of pickups and SUVs dropped 50% last month, compared with 1 year ago.
RMc @ Jul 1st 2008 5:58PM
One statistic that I wish was also posted was the overall change in total sales. This would allow us to compare the individual groups' performance to the overall picture.
Aprime @ Jul 1st 2008 5:59PM
Regarding Saab - I'm willing to say it's due to the 9-7, their US volume seller.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jul 1st 2008 6:14PM
I've been seeing a lot of the new face lifted SAAB convertibles. I'd imagine that they are normally Audi buyers that don't want to pay the Audi premium and get hit with Audi depreciation.
rmb74 @ Jul 1st 2008 9:48PM
@hotrodz - Saabs depreiciate quite a bit more then Audis. ever price out a used A4 versus a used 9-3. Look at autotrader and you will see what I mean.
mikeyt @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:49AM
I've had my saab for just over a year, and have been handed off to a new dealer twice (due to franchise closing/moving). My current dealer is now somewhat of a GM superstore. GM has been undergoing a lot of dealer consolidation. I wonder if Saab is being adversely affected...? I would say Hummer too, but I think the reasons for Hummer's declining sales are a little more obvious.
Wobbly_ears @ Jul 1st 2008 6:13PM
Go Hyundai! (Up 14%)
Go Kia!! (Up 21%)
I think these two companies are looking more & more like the Japanese of 80s; focus on small cars & keep making them reliable.
I really really wish the Detroit 3 had followed this approach & they wouldn't be in this mess they're now...
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:36AM
I'm not using the e-mail links anymore
Dave Peterson @ Jul 1st 2008 6:42PM
Doubt that seriously. Audi was up 18.5% and Saab tanked at - 51%. Also, I've sold an Audi previously (2005 A6) and it had very good resale here in CA. Audi is gobbling up marketshare from BMW/Mercedes which is great for us consumers. Increased competition almost always benefits the consumer.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jul 1st 2008 10:20PM
Yeah it might just be that they are being painted bright colors so I'm noticing them lol